A new study suggests that regular movement can significantly improve health outcomes for people living with atrial fibrillation, even if they exercise only a little each week.
Researchers found that physical activity and atrial fibrillation are closely linked, with active adults showing a lower risk of stroke and a greater chance of living longer compared with those who remain inactive.
The findings, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, highlight exercise as an important part of long-term heart health.
Physical Activity and Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation, commonly called AFib, causes the upper chambers of the heart to beat irregularly. The condition increases the risk of blood clots, stroke and heart failure.
Many people with AFib reduce their physical activity because they worry exercise could worsen their symptoms. However, researchers say regular movement appears to offer meaningful health benefits.
Scientists from UiT The Arctic University of Norway followed more than 87,000 adults over a 15-year period. They used national health records to examine how different activity levels affected stroke and survival.
Study Finds Lower Stroke Risk
The study found that adults who remained physically active had a lower risk of stroke than those who did not exercise.
Compared with inactive participants:
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- Low activity reduced stroke risk by 9%
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- Moderate activity reduced stroke risk by 19%
- High activity reduced stroke risk by 18%
The researchers also found that the most active participants experienced up to a 22% lower risk of death during the study period.
Exercise May Help People Live Longer
The benefits appeared in people both with and without atrial fibrillation.
For those already diagnosed with AFib, regular physical activity was associated with living up to 1.2 years longer than inactive patients.
Lead researcher Dr. Kristoffer Johansen said the findings should encourage patients to stay active whenever possible.
He explained that people can gain health benefits regardless of when they begin exercising, adding that even small amounts of daily movement are far better than remaining inactive.
Experts Continue Recommending Exercise
Researchers noted that the study cannot prove exercise alone caused the improved outcomes because active people often follow other healthy habits.
Even so, the findings support current recommendations from the American Heart Association, which advises adults to complete at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week.
Health experts hope the research will encourage doctors to include physical activity and atrial fibrillation management together as part of routine care, helping reduce stroke risk and improve overall quality of life.
